Vera & Garry – Canterbury

There are homes and then there are masterpieces. For Vera and Garry, building their forever home was never about playing it safe. It was about bold artistic expression, embracing the unconventional, and working with a team who could turn a challenging block and an ambitious brief into something extraordinary.

Located in leafy Canterbury, their home didn’t just break the mould - it was custom-crafted to redefine what’s possible, earning the 2023 Master Builders Victoria Best Custom Home $1–$2M award.

Vera and Garry are not typical homeowners. Their love of art runs deep, and they wanted their home to reflect this. The initial brief was clear: nothing standard would do. Every element needed to be intentional, expressive and bespoke - right down to the entrance mural, which makes a statement the moment you arrive.

The design, shaped by the contours of a small 350sqm triangular block, uses angled and curved walls to mirror the land itself. Every room, bar one, abandons the right angle in favour of dynamic geometry. The result? A form that’s sculptural and striking. As construction manager Joe put it: “In my 30 years in the building industry, I’ve never built a house with so many corners!”

But the ambition didn’t stop with aesthetics. Vera and Garry also wanted a home that performs. Warm in winter, cool in summer, and beautifully daylit year-round. Latitude 37 delivered on all fronts.

Sustainable design features include:
- North-facing double glazing for winter warmth
- Minimal western windows to reduce heat load
- Strategic insulation (R2.5 in walls, R5.0 in roof)
- Large windows and sliding doors to flood spaces with natural light

This commitment to both form and function showcases what a modern custom home can truly achieve.

What sets this story apart isn’t just the design. It’s the journey.

From navigating Council red tape and Covid lockdowns, to preserving two heritage gum trees that reduced the buildable footprint by nearly half, Vera and Garry’s build journey was nothing short of epic.

Despite pandemic delays, supply shortages and design revisions, the Latitude 37 team never wavered in their commitment.

From Brendan’s early design sketches to Joe’s site leadership, every stage of the process was marked by clarity, care and respect.

The home’s interiors are a reflection of thoughtful refinement. Originally seeking a dark loft aesthetic, Vera and Garry pivoted, asking for lighter spaces, simplified ceiling lines and more natural finishes.

Their detailed feedback helped shape:
- A streamlined open-plan kitchen/living area
- A bathroom with a bath for two overlooking the park
- A wine cellar tucked under the stairs
- Purpose-designed joinery for art display, storage and practicality

Every decision was made to create a home that felt beautiful and lived-in, not like a showroom. Their clarity and vision made the outcome even more rewarding.

Perhaps the best way to summarise the experience is in Vera and Garry’s own words:

“We’ve been with Latitude 37 for over 3 years. Right now, we’re a few weeks away from moving in… it’s been an exhausting adventure! But we’re thrilled with the result. We had a blast."

As neighbours stop to admire the striking facade and ask about the curved walls and mural entry, Joe, their site manager, has become something of a local legend.

“Joe made friends with many of our future neighbours just walking past and admiring our home.” said Garry

At L37, we don’t shy away from the complex. We specialise in unusual sites, ambitious ideas, and highly custom outcomes that reflect who you are and how you live.

Whether you bring a passion for art, sustainability, or simply a desire to build something that’s yours alone - we’re here to bring it to life.

Ready to create your dream home? Discover how Latitude 37 can design and build a residence that’s uniquely yours. Enquire today